Coupling Between Two Objects, Object Intended Therefor, and Mocular Building System

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a coupling between two objects via a coupling element. Each object comprises a panel with a continuous hole with four inward protruding tongues which are disposed at 90° to each other and extend over angles of about 22.5°. The coupling element comprises a shank, an insert stop member on both sides so that the coupling element can be inserted in the one or the other direction into the hole, four locking cams on each end zone of the shank which each extend over angles of 22.5° disposed at 0°, (90°−22.5°), 180°, (270°−22.5°), and rotation stop members. The coupling element can be inserted into the hole in a chosen orientation as desired in one of four equidistant angular positions and then rotated through about 22.5° in the one or the other direction, wherein rotation locking means fix the chosen angular position.

Couplings between two objects are known in many embodiments, forinstance to serve as basis for toys or for educational purposes. Asexample can be given the meccano system that has long fallen into disusewherein objects had one or more panels with one or more continuousholes. Two similar objects could then be coupled using this system bymeans of a nut-bolt connection. Spatial constructions could in this waybe built. Another example is the Lego® system which is intended mainlyfor younger children.

It is an object of the invention to provide a coupling between twoobjects which has in common with the known systems that the couplingbetween two objects can be selected in a specific manner as desired bythe user within a determined number of selection options, and that thecoupling is releasable.

It is an object of the invention to embody a coupling such that itprovides specific selection options which allow a wide range ofvariation in the building structures that can be made. According to theinvention the releasability does not have to be such that mutuallycoupled objects come apart easily. It is assumed according to theinvention that the user must perform specific well-considered actions tobring about a coupling of a specific type or to release the coupling.

In respect of the above objectives the invention provides a couplingbetween two objects (1, 2) by means of a coupling element (3);

wherein each object (1, 2) comprises:

-   -   a panel (4) with a continuous first hole (5) with a round main        shape and four inward protruding tongues (6) which each have two        sides (25, 26) extending at least more or less in radial        direction, which tongues (6) are arranged angularly equidistant        and each extend over an angle of substantially 22.5°;

wherein the coupling element (3) comprises:

-   -   a shank (8) which can be inserted between the ends (7) of the        tongues (6) into the first hole (5) and has an axis (29);    -   an insert stop member (19, 20) which is present on the central        zone of the shank (8) and which defines the maximum distance        over which the shank (8) can be inserted as desired with the one        orientation or the other orientation into the first hole (5);

four locking cams (9, 10, 11, 12); (13, 14, 15, 16) on each of the twoend zones (17, 18) of the shank (8), which locking cams (9-16) eachextend over an angle of substantially 22.5° and are disposed at relativeangular positions of substantially 0°, (90°−22.5°), 180°, (270°−22.5°);and

four rotation stop members (21, 22, 23, 24) which are each added to alocking cam (9-16) and arranged angularly equidistant and which canco-act with said sides (25, 26);

such that the coupling element (3) can be inserted into the first hole(5) in a chosen orientation as desired in one of four angularlyequidistant angular positions until the insert stop member (19, 20)comes into contact with the panel (4) and the coupling element (3) canthen be rotated relative to the relevant object (1, 2) as desiredthrough substantially 22.5° in the one or in the other direction untilthe rotation stop member (21-24) comes into contact with a relevant side(25, 26), whereby the locking cams (9-12); (13-16) engage behind thepanel (4) and the coupling element (3) is locked against axialdisplacement relative to the panel (4);

wherein rotation locking means (27, 28) are present for the purpose ofreleasably locking the coupling element (3) relative to each of the twoobjects (1, 2) in each possible angular position, i.e. (0°±22.5°),(90°±22.5°), (180°±22.5°), (270°±22.5°).

As noted above, it must only be possible to realize or release thecoupling by performing well-considered actions. In this respect thecoupling according to the invention preferably has the special featurethat the rotation locking means can be carried in and out of theirlocking state only by exerting a determined rotational moment betweenthe coupling element and the relevant object.

In a specific embodiment the coupling has the special feature that therotation locking means comprise a combination of a recess and aprotrusion engaging elastically therein added at each possible angularposition.

A practical embodiment comprises a resilient strip with the main shapeof a circular arc, which strip is provided with three recesses whichhave relative angular positions of −22.5°, 0°, +22.5°.

In a practical embodiment the coupling comprises four strips which areeach carried by two adjacent rotation stop members.

The latter two embodiments can advantageously comprise four protrusionswhich have the same angular positions as the tongues, form part of thepanel and can co-act with at least one of four resilient strips whicheach extend over an angle of substantially 90° and form part of thecoupling element.

It is noted that the angles ref erred to in the foregoing must be deemedas technically functional indications.

In a specific embodiment the coupling has the special feature that eachobject and/or the coupling element consists of plastic.

This latter embodiment can advantageously be embodied such that eachobject and/or the coupling element is manufactured byinjection-moulding.

The coupling element has a front view which is the same as, ormirror-symmetrical to, the rear view. This provides the option of acoupling in which the coupling element is manufactured by

(a) making an extrudate using an extrusion head with an opening havingthe same form as the front view or the rear view of the couplingelement,

(b) bringing the extrudate to the desired length, and

(c) selectively removing excess portions such that a coupling element isobtained.

The coupling preferably has the special feature that the shank has anaxially non-round continuous second hole into which a suitable tool canbe inserted and, by exerting a moment by means of this tool, thecoupling element can then be rotated relative to the relevant object.

The invention also relates to an object designed and evidently intendedas component of a coupling as according to one or more of the abovestated specifications, which object comprises at least one panel with atleast two continuous first holes such that the object can be coupled bymeans of at least two coupling elements to at least two further similarobjects.

This object can comprise a number of panels with a number of continuousfirst holes with equal centre-to-centre distances as measured along thesurface of the panels, wherein in the case of more than one first holein a panel these holes are ordered in straight rows and, insofar asapplicable, mutually perpendicular rows.

The invention further relates to a modular construction system, intendedfor instance as toy or for educational purposes, comprising a number ofobjects as according to the specifications stated in the foregoingparagraphs, in addition to a number of coupling elements for mutuallycoupling objects by means of coupling elements as desired by a user,whereby a number of objects and coupling elements are assembled into aunit.

Finally, the invention relates to a packaging with a modularconstruction system as according to the above stated specification.

The invention will now be elucidated with reference to the accompanyingdrawings. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an object and a coupling elementdrawn at some mutual distance;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view corresponding with FIG. 1 in which thecoupling element is inserted into the object;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view corresponding with FIG. 2 in which thecoupling element is rotated through 22.5° and is thus secured to theobject;

FIGS. 4A and 4B, 4C and 4D show on smaller scale and, drawn for the sakeof clarity in mutual co-action, the first phase of FIG. 1, the secondphase of FIG. 2, the realized third phase of FIG. 3, and the potentialthird phase of FIG. 4;

FIG. 5A shows a top view of the object with the coupling element asaccording to FIG. 2;

FIG. 5B shows a side view of the object with coupling element asaccording to FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6A shows a top view corresponding with FIG. 5A of an object and acoupling element inserted in reverse orientation;

FIG. 6B shows a side view of the object and the coupling element in thesituation of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D, 7E, 7F, 7G and 7H show couplings between twoobjects with relative orientations of respectively 0°, 45°, 90°, 135°,180°, 225°, 270° and 315°.

FIG. 1 to 6 show the basic components of a part of a coupling accordingto the invention. FIG. 7 shows the manner in which these basiccomponents can be assembled with a further object to form a unit on thebasis of a complete coupling according to the invention.

Said FIG. 1 to 6 show a coupling between two objects by means of acoupling element;

wherein each object comprises:

-   -   a panel with a continuous first hole with a round main shape and        four inward protruding tongues which each have two sides        extending at least more or less in radial direction, which        tongues are arranged angularly equidistant and each extend over        an angle of substantially 22.5°;

wherein the coupling element comprises:

-   -   a shank which can be inserted between the ends of the tongues        into the first hole and has an axis;    -   an insert stop member which is present on the central zone of        the shank and which defines the maximum distance over which the        shank can be inserted as desired with the one orientation or the        other orientation into the first hole;

four locking cams on each of the two end zones of the shank, whichlocking cams each extend over an angle of substantially 22.5° and aredisposed at relative angular positions of substantially 0°, (90°−22.5°),180°, (270°−22.5°); and

four rotation stop members which are each added to a locking cam and arearranged angularly equidistant and which can co-act with said sides;

such that the coupling element can be inserted into the first hole in achosen orientation as desired in one of four angularly equidistantangular positions until the insert stop member comes into contact withthe panel and the coupling element can then be rotated relative to therelevant object as desired through substantially 22.5° in the one or inthe other direction until the rotation stop member comes into contactwith a relevant side, whereby the locking cams engage behind the paneland the coupling element is locked against axial displacement relativeto the panel;

wherein rotation locking means are present for the purpose of releasablylocking the coupling element relative to each of the two objects in eachpossible angular position, i.e. (0°±22.5°), (90°±22.5°), (180°±22.5°),(270°±22.5°).

The drawn embodiments are such that the rotation locking means can becarried in and out of their locking state only by exerting a determinedrotational moment between the coupling element and the relevant object1, 2.

The rotation locking means comprise a combination of a recess 28 and aprotrusion 27 engaging elastically therein added at each possibleangular position.

In the drawn embodiment this coupling comprises a resilient strip 30with the main shape of a circular arc, which strip is provided withthree recesses 28 a, 28 b, 28 c which have relative angular positions of−22.5°, 0°, +22.5°.

The coupling in fact comprises four strips 30 which are each carried bytwo adjacent rotation stop members 21-24.

The coupling further comprises four protrusions 27 a, 27 b, 27 c, 27 dwhich have the same angular positions as tongues 6, form part of panel 4and can co-act with at least one of four resilient strips 30 which eachextend over an angle of substantially 90° and form part of couplingelement 3.

In all the drawn embodiments each object 1, 2 and/or coupling element 3consists of plastic.

Injection-moulding in particular is a very suitable method ofmanufacture.

It will be apparent, particularly from FIG. 5A, that in the drawnembodiment the front view and the rear view of the coupling element areidentical. Coupling element 3 can therefore be manufactured by

(a) making an extrudate using an extrusion head with an opening havingthe same form as the front view or the rear view of coupling element 3,

(b) bringing the extrudate to the desired length, and

(c) selectively removing excess portions such that a coupling element 3is obtained.

It will further be apparent from the drawings that shank 8 has anaxially non-round continuous second hole 31 into which a suitable toolcan be inserted and that coupling element 3 can then be rotated relativeto the relevant object 1, 2 by exerting a moment by means of this tool.The continuous second hole 31 has for this purpose four grooves 32 a, 32b, 32 c, 32 d arranged angularly equidistant and extending over thewhole length of hole 31. A screwdriver can for instance be inserted andco-act with grooves 32 a, 32 c and 32 b, 32 d lying diametricallyopposite each other.

The invention further relates to an object of the type such as object 3according to the Figure. An object can for instance consist of one panelwith at least two continuous holes. It can also be a corner element withtwo or three panels with a desired number of continuous holes at random.It is also possible to apply a cube having on each of the six squarepanels one hole or straight rows of holes which can be registered.

A block shape such as the object 1, 2 as according to all of thedrawings is also an option.

It is generally practical to ensure that in the case two objects arecoupled the thereby created rows of holes have the same centre-to-centredistance as the centre-to-centre distances of the holes in one object.

Not drawn is a modular construction system on the basis of the couplingaccording to the invention. Such a modular construction system can besupplied in a packaging and comprises a number of objects 1, 2 of thetype specified and drawn as example in the Figure, in addition to anumber of coupling elements 3 for mutually coupling these objects 1, 2in the manner specified according to the invention to form a spatialbuilding construction.

It will be apparent that within the stated framework the couplingaccording to the invention can be embodied in very many different ways.What is essential is that a coupling element 3 is inserted into a firstobject 1, optionally then in combination with a second object 2 arrangedon the other side over the coupling element, whereafter the couplingbetween coupling element 3 and object 1, 2 is effected by rotation inthe one or the other direction. Particularly in the case where couplingelement 3 is not readily accessible with the hand, so when couplingelement 3 is inserted into two objects 1, 2 arranged on either side, itis practical to make use of the described non-round hole and a suitabletool such as a screwdriver in order to perform the necessary rotation ofcoupling element 3. A tool can also be used for uncoupling.

1-14. (canceled) 15: A coupling between two objects via a couplingelement, wherein each object comprises: a panel with a continuous firsthole with a round main shape and four inward protruding tongues eachhaving two sides extending at least more or less in radial direction,which tongues are arranged angularly equidistant and each extend over anangle of substantially 22.5°; wherein the coupling element comprises: ashank configured to be inserted between the ends of the tongues into thefirst hole and has an axis; an insert stop member present on the centralzone of the shank that defines the maximum distance over which the shankcan be inserted as desired with a first orientation or a secondorientation into the first hole; four locking cams on each of two endzones of the shank, the locking cams each extend over an angle ofsubstantially 22.5° and are disposed at relative angular positions ofsubstantially 0°, (90°−22.5°), 180°, (270°−22.5°); and four rotationstop members each added to a locking cam and arranged angularlyequidistant, each rotation stop member is configured to co-act with saidsides; such that the coupling element can be inserted into the firsthole in a chosen orientation as desired in one of four angularlyequidistant angular positions until the insert stop member comes intocontact with the panel and the coupling element can then be rotatedrelative to the relevant object as desired through substantially 22.5°in a first direction or a second direction until the rotation stopmember comes into contact with a relevant side of the tongue whereby thelocking cams engage behind the panel and the coupling element is lockedagainst axial displacement relative to the panel; wherein rotationlocking means are present for the purpose of releasably locking thecoupling element relative to each of the two objects in each possibleangular position. 16: The coupling as claimed in claim 15, wherein therotation locking means can be carried in and out of their locking stateonly by exerting a determined rotational moment between the couplingelement and the relevant object. 17: The coupling as claimed in claim16, wherein the rotation locking means comprise a combination of arecess and a protrusion engaging elastically therein added at eachpossible angular position. 18: The coupling as claimed in claim 17,further comprising a resilient strip with the main shape of a circulararc, the strip is provided with three recesses which have relativeangular positions of −22.5°, 0°, +22.5°. 19: The coupling as claimed inclaim 18, further comprising four strips each carried by two adjacentrotation stop members. 20: The coupling as claimed in claim 18, furthercomprising four protrusions which have the same angular positions as thetongues, form part of the panel and can co-act with at least one of fourresilient strips which each extend over an angle of substantially 90°and form part of the coupling element. 21: The coupling as claimed inclaim 15, wherein each object and/or the coupling element consists ofplastic. 22: The coupling as claimed in claim 20, wherein each objectand/or the coupling element is manufactured by injection-moulding. 23:The coupling as claimed in claim 20, wherein a method of manufacturingthe coupling element comprises the steps of: (a) making an extrudateusing an extrusion head with an opening having the same form as thefront view or the rear view of the coupling element, (b) bringing theextrudate to the desired length, and (c) selectively removing excessportions such that a coupling element is obtained. 24: The coupling asclaimed in claim 15, wherein the shank has an axially non-roundcontinuous second hole into which a suitable tool can be inserted and,by exerting a moment by means of this tool, the coupling element canthen be rotated relative to the relevant object. 25: An object intendedas a component of a coupling comprising: at least one panel with atleast two continuous first holes with a round main shape and four inwardprotruding tongues each having two sides extending at least more or lessin radial direction, which tongues are arranged angularly equidistantand each extend over an angle of substantially 22.5°, such that theobject can be coupled by means of at least two coupling elements to atleast two further similar objects. 26: The object as claimed in claim25, further comprising a number of panels with a number of continuousfirst holes with equal centre-to-centre distances as measured along thesurface of the panels, wherein in the case of more than one first holein a panel these holes are ordered in straight rows and, insofar asapplicable, mutually perpendicular rows. 27: A modular constructionsystem, intended for instance as toy or for educational purposes,comprising: a number of objects, wherein each object comprises: a panelwith a continuous first hole with a round main shape and four inwardprotruding tongues each having two sides extending at least more or lessin radial direction, which tongues are arranged angularly equidistantand each extend over an angle of substantially 22.5°; a number ofcoupling elements, wherein each coupling element comprises: a shankconfigured to be inserted between the ends of the tongues into the firsthole and has an axis; an insert stop member present on the central zoneof the shank that defines the maximum distance over which the shank canbe inserted as desired with a first orientation or a second orientationinto the first hole; four locking cams on each of two end zones of theshank, the locking cams each extend over an angle of substantially 22.5°and are disposed at relative angular positions of substantially 0°,(90°−22.5°), 180°, (270°−22.5°); and four rotation stop members eachadded to a locking cam and arranged angularly equidistant, each rotationstop member is configured to co-act with said sides; such that eachcoupling element can be inserted into the first hole in a chosenorientation as desired in one of four angularly equidistant angularpositions until the insert stop member comes into contact with the paneland each coupling element can then be rotated relative to the relevantobject as desired through substantially 22.5° in a first direction or asecond direction until the rotation stop member comes into contact witha relevant side of the tongue whereby the locking cams engage behind thepanel and the coupling element is locked against axial displacementrelative to the panel; wherein rotation locking means are present forthe purpose of releasably locking each coupling element relative to eachobject in each possible angular position; wherein the number of couplingelements are configured for mutually coupling objects by means ofcoupling elements as desired by a user, whereby a number of objects andcoupling elements are assembled into a unit. 28: A packaging with amodular construction system as claimed in claim 27.